Category: Jesus

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. –Voltaire

For those of you that are new to the blog, in December I posted about the number 7 in relation to my cousin’s death and how it had been 7 years. It was weird because I never thought about it but the number 7 seems to be all over and through my life this year. I’m both scared and excited if that’s possible. But, let me tell you what happened…

Last Sunday at church was a long one for us. We have both baptism and holy communion on the first Sunday of every month, so church tends to be about 3 hours on average. Unless the holy spirit shows up and shows out then the church service is liable to go over. Ah, but that is the great thing about church…the unpredictability when God takes over. So, I’m sitting there with munch right behind my mama and Ms. Margot ready to get my holy filled praise on.

Munch is sitting next to me smiling because he just turned 7 last Thursday and he was telling everyone. I’m 7 now. He’s over the moon right? Well, the service begins with praise and worship and then we are getting ready to do the baptism and munch turns to me and says, “Mommy, why am I not baptized?” I began to explain in a hushed tone “The baptism is only part of the process you have to accept and believe in God and Jesus. You have to promise to live to make him happy and obey him like you do me and daddy.” He whispers, “Mommy, I love God and Jesus and I want to be baptized.”

I got scared. I’m not sure why really. I think I was just overwhelmed by his declaration to want to be baptized. I mean he’s only 7. He believes in the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus and now he was absolutely sure he wanted to give his life to Christ. At 7? Is that possible? I asked him, “Are you sure?” “Yes, mommy” he replied. I was stunned.

I whispered to my mommy (I’m all kinds of wrong because service is going on) what my son said. She said, “Let him do it at the end of the month when we have Youth Sunday.” Ms. Margot overheard because you know that I can’t whisper well right? Ms. Margot replied, “No, if he wants to do it let him.” I sat back and smiled at my son.

Church continued and we welcomed the visitors and greeted the members in christian fellowship. I ran into Brennan’s godmother (our Assistant Pastor’s wife) and told her what he said. I told her that I was scared. She said, “Don’t be. It’s what you want right?” “Yeah, I replied, but it’s too soon right?” She smiled, “Not if he’s ready.” That was it. He was ready. It was his choice.

He was 7 and making the decision I didn’t think he would make until his teenage years to follow Christ. So, when the altar call came, I asked him was he sure one last time that he was ready to give his life to Christ and he said, “Yes.” I held his hand and with tears streaming down my face I walked him to the front of the church. We gave our information to the church secretary and waited until it was time to announce our decision. Munch was a candidate for baptism.

The pastor got on his knees and looked munch in the eyes and asked him some questions in which he clearly said his decision was to follow Christ and be baptized. He asked munch to repeat a prayer after him and my munch was so outspoken in his prayer. You could hear that it was his desire to live according to the will of God. I smiled and kept crying while saying, “Thank you God”. He’s 7.

It’s been seven years since my cousin died. Munch is seven years old. Munch will be baptized on the 7th of June.

Yep, we say “Happy Resurrection Day” to all to remind you that He has risen. There was no greater sacrifice than Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. It may seem small to some now, but trust me when I say it is not. I am reminded everyday of this sacrifice and how awesome it is to have a God that would send his child to die for my sins.

When you take the time to remember the ultimate sacrifice it helps you to take life in stride. To forgive and to know that you are forgiven for your sins. How many of us would be willing to give our only child to die so that others may live? It is a truly selfless act.

Remember that today is not about the candy, Easter baskets or big dinner, but about our risen savior. Happy Resurrection Day folks!

For those of you who may be going through it, I wanted to encourage you today. I have to tell you that I feel your pain. As I was listening to Pandora earlier this week, Kurt Carr’s “I Almost Let Go” came on and I started to cry. I was having a come to Jesus, full on testimony experience. I’ve been going through some things and I tell you when God is working on me and through me HE gets inside of my spirit and I am transformed and renewed knowing that HE knows what is going on with me. How wonderful is that?

I Almost let go
I felt like I just couldn’t take life any more
My problems had me bound
Depression weighed me down
But God held me close
So I wouldn’t let go
God’s mercy kept me
So I wouldn’t let go

– Kurt Carr “I Almost Let Go”

Kurt’s words above are simple yet poignant. Depression weighs you down. I’ve been there. Heck, sometimes I feel like I’m still there, but you know what? This too shall pass. God’s mercy will keep you when you feel that there is no way out. When your back is against the wall and you feel like everything you touch is crumbling and you can’t see through pain, trust me that God’s got you.

I have to remind myself of this and I want to remind you to be encouraged because it could be worse. WE WILL OVERCOME. There is strength in numbers and you need to remember that we serve a faithful God. Always.

Proverbs 4:25 (MSG)

23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;that’s where life starts.Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.Keep your eyes straight ahead;ignore all sideshow distractions.Watch your step,and the road will stretch out smooth before you.Look neither right nor left;leave evil in the dust.

I titled this post the bestest gift ever because I wanted to tell you through pictures what Christmas means to me. It’s not the cost of gifts or whether I get any gifts at all, but waking up everyday with an attitude of gratitude and appreciation for Christ allows me to know the difference between wanting things I can’t afford and knowing that I received the bestest gift ever. It’s a year in review of what I’ve been blessed to receive.

I’m thankful for everything. I wish you only the best this holiday season. Remember to appreciate and enjoy the life you have and know that you are truly blessed.

I woke up this morning excited. I have been sick for the last week and a half and it felt good to be out and about and even back at work. I was pumped. Yes, I have some things that are going on. Some worries I’m working through. Some concerns that are on my mind, but I was thankful for another day. I woke up feeling like superwoman. I told myself, “Girl, today is a new day. Yesterday was the past and today is a gift. Be present in the moment and know that no matter what happens today you are incredibly blessed and highly favored.”

Even when it doesn’t seem like it, I need to remember that I am a conqueror and this too shall pass. So, my #motivationalmonday message is based off one of my favorite chapters in the bible: Romans. Romans 8:34-39 which reads:

“Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.[a] 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So, I want to tell you the same thing. You’re a conqueror. Nothing we can do will separate us from the love of Christ. Trust me (I’ve done some things I thought would separate me and He still loves me).

Listen to Estelle’s song “Conqueror” and tell me that you are not inspired. No matter who is counting you out. Estelle sings “I’d rather stand tall than live on my knees because I’m a conqueror and I won’t accept defeat.”

Neither should you. God has already determined that you will win, so love, know that it will happen.

Last week I told my friend that I wanted to make God proud. His response, “God is proud of you”. I didn’t believe him. Not that I thought he was lying, but how could he know if God was proud of me? But God. I have to say that again. But, God. You see that same evening, God allowed Brennan to tell me that he loved me and tell me that I’m the best mommy in the world. Why, you might ask? Because I take him to church. God was answering me. He was letting me know that he was proud of me because simply, I take my son to church. I loved it. God’s pride in me was further demonstrated to me how proud of me he is with Brennan when I took Brennan to school on Friday. Brennan said that he doesn’t like Easter. I asked Why? He said “Because I didn’t get an Easter basket from my teacher”. I asked “Why didn’t you get an Easter basket?” He responded “Because I messed up on my shapes and now I don’t have any candy.” I replied, “I’m sure there is more to this story, but Easter isn’t about getting candy. It’s about the resurrection of Jesus.” So, we spent the next five minutes talking about Jesus and he said, “Mommy, we need Jesus don’t we?” Yes, was my reply. He said, “Like in the Lion King when Nala tells Simba we need you, that’s how we need Jesus?” Can I just tell you that I broke down in tears? Wow!If you’re like me and you’re trying to remember that scene, I’ve attached it for you.

In keeping with my personal motto for 2011, “Faithfully Moving Forward”, I decided to do a virtual prayer circle via e-mail. Using our social networking to spread the Gospel. We are all in need of prayer and encouragement. I need it and I hope you do too. So, with that being said, I wanted to send you notes from my service and comments to encourage your soul for the week.

Title of the Bible Verse: Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Jesus taught disciples through his application and actions of the word. Jesus was trying to build their faith is what the text teaches us. To build your faith and our faith in Him so we can learn to trust him in any and all circumstances. We want to live our lives on easy street. When we have it easy we tend to neglect our time of prayer and study and service to God. My God can handle what I can’t. There’s not a situation we face that God can’t handle. God will not leave me even when God knows what’s coming. The Lord will not abandon you.

Jesus knows there is an enemy trying to steal your joy, dishearten you, depress and despise you. Your enemy is trying to make you feel confused and abused. The lightening can flash, the storms can billow, but God is still with you. The problem is that when we know we need Jesus in the midst of our trials, tribulations and struggles we seek Jesus and see him displaying peculiar behavior (Jesus was asleep during the storm). When the disciples went to get Him, they see Jesus in the boat asleep on a pillow. The Lord was comfortable in adverse positions. When you learn to trust and rest on His promises you can know that it will work out even though your boat is rocking and the storms are billowing, you will be at peace. Trust in Jesus. Trust in our God.

I pray that this week finds you well rested and learning to trust in our God. He will protect you.